Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Betts Industries Health and Wellness Coordinator Libby Abbey gives blood, with the help of Community Blood Bank Phlebotomist Brian Crawford, during a multi-company drive Wednesday hosted by Betts.

Betts Industries is trying to manufacture blood donations for the Community Blood Bank.

With local blood supplies regularly hovering around the one-day level, Betts Industries was already hosting blood drives for its employees at least twice a year. When Community Blood Bank asked local companies to do what they could to help, the company reached out.

“Betts CEO Chad Betts was attending a WCCBI meeting back in May where the Community Blood Bank made a pitch to enlist area companies to help build awareness about blood shortages,” Betts Health and Wellness Coordinator Libby Abbey said. “In the past four years, Betts has always held two or three blood drives each year and have had good turn outs.”

They were ready to do more. At the CEO’s encouraging, the company reached out to its neighbors at the west end of Pennsylvania Avenue West.

“We weren’t sure that Superior Tire and Rubber or Targeted Pet Treats had ever held a blood drive,” she said. “We have a large space that we often use for our company events and meetings. Why not have the other two companies join our event?”

Targeted has held drives. Sydnee Groenendaal, Community Blood Bank mobile drive coordinator, said she was not aware of events at Superior. Whether the businesses were participating for the first time or had done so many times before, Groenendaal was happy to see them working on the problem.

“It’s good to have the businesses step up with a critical health need and come up with ways to make up the shortage as much as possible,” Groenendaal said.

The blood situation is still serious.

“The need is always there. We’re still at about a one-day supply,” Groenendaal said. “We’ve had to coordinate moving units from one hospital to another.”

With school about to be back in session and business drives on the rise, there is reason to hope the supply will be at a better level soon. Groenendaal said high school and college drives generate about one-fourth of the blood Community Blood Bank collects.

Business drives are another big part of the supply.

“The big plus about business-based drives is we come to you,” Groenendaal said. “Ultimately, it’s that convenience factor.”

In order to encourage workers to donate, “a lot of companies offer incentives,” she said.

The growth of business and school drives is important, she said. For many, those drives are their first interaction with the blood supply.

The average age of those who donate regularly is pretty high.

“It’s big to be working with younger people,” she said. “If there’s anyone that’s been thinking about trying it, there’s no better time than the present.”

On Wednesday, about 35 people signed up and several more walked in. Most were from Betts, but there were several employees of both Superior and Targeted that joined the effort.

“Our hope is to continue holding this event several times a year,” Abbey said. “The demand for blood is critical in our community, and the amount of people interested in this event is incredible to see. I have no doubt this will become a special event for these three companies.”

Abbey is a licensed practical nurse.

“Being in the medical field, I see how things are on the back end,” she said. “I see how I can help the community – being able to advocate for those that need the blood, those emergencies, those families.”

Betts invites employees’ family members and retirees to participate.

“I think we could double the number” of donors at the drive, she said.

Groenendaal agrees.

“I’m very excited about this drive,” Groenendaal said. “We’re looking forward to building this up and inviting everyone that works in this part of town.”

If the drive grows, Community Blood Bank will be ready to assign more personnel to it. A larger drive means more units of blood per worker-hour. “Being able to leverage our staff… it’s more efficient all the way around,” Groenendaal said.

Community Blood Bank holds drives throughout the community. The next will be hosted by Warren General Hospital on Thursday, Sept. 1. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 814-456-4206.